Back
in the `50s, before motoryachts turned into overinflated beach balls
that appear ready to explode, DCFBs were the hot ticket for midrange motoryachts.
DCFB stood for "double cabin flying bridge," a configuration
rarely, if ever, seen in modern boats, but one that still makes a lot
of sense for many reasons.

THE
GENIUS OF IT

As
with most vessels, the DCFB evolved over time. Double-cabin (DC) cruisers
first appeared in the `20s and `30s. Ranging in size from
36 to about 50 feet, they had a saloon amidships with a cabin (or cabins)
forward under the main deck and a cabin (or cabins) aft under a low trunk.
Usually a small cockpit was located at the extreme stern, directly accessible
from the owner's cabin aft. Then in the `40s someone got the
bright idea of installing controls atop the aft trunk to allow fresh-air
piloting. Soon a windshield was added and the sides were enclosed, producing
a great flying bridge. Thus, the DC was transformed into a DCFB and became
the hottest trend in motoryachts.

The
great thing--the genius--of the DCFB configuration was that
a full motoryacht could be packaged in a low, sleek silhouette that was,
in effect, only 1 1/2 decks high. That's why DCFBs from the `50s
that were only 50 feet LOA looked so long and sleek. Contrast this to
what DCFBs eventually morphed into--flush- or stepped-deck motoryachts--and
you immediately see what I am talking about. Flush- or stepped-deck motoryachts
eliminated the small aft cockpit and the side decks around the owner's
stateroom, producing more volume in the cabin at the expense of losing
the "look." This is readily evident if you peruse the pages
of this magazine and study the lines of some modern flush-deck motoryacht
monstrosities in the 50-foot range. These bloats--er, excuse me,
boats--are three decks high and look like gigantic floating watermelons.
My editor will not allow me to name names here, but to paraphrase a Supreme
Court justice speaking of pornography, you will know one when you see
one.

THE GREED-LENGTH RATIO

Bloated boats
are the result of pure and simple greed. Greedy interior designers dictated
that boats be designed from the inside out rather than from the outside
in. I have always followed the outside-in philosophy. If a boat resembles
a well-melted candle, stuffed turkey, or doorstop, the owner will never
really be happy with her, and since most owners spend much more time looking
at pictures of their boat than actually using her, appearance becomes
very important. Yes, first get the profile right, then design the interior
to fit within the envelope as best you can.